FCA takes over the SRA’s anti-money laundering role
In October 2025, the UK government confirmed a major overhaul of the anti‑money laundering (AML) and counter‑terrorist financing (CTF) supervisory landscape. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will assume responsibility as the Single Professional Services Supervisor (SPSS), taking over from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and more than 20 other professional body supervisors. This reform marks […]
Search Acumen launches dedicated SDLT submission process for commercial property
Search Acumen has extended the capability of its Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) submissions solution, creating a dedicated commercial real estate offering, with direct submissions to HMRC for greater efficiency. As an industry first, this strengthens the firm’s offering as an end-to-end digital solution for all types of property transactions. The platform’s post completion solution […]
Open letter criticises QES guidance and calls for changes to enable wider take-up
An industry coalition of e-signing platforms, qualified trust service providers (QTSPs) and UK-certified digital verification service (DVS) providers has called on the government and HM Land Registry to address what is says are errors in the drafting and implementation of guidance around Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) that will “frustrate the Ministry of Housing, Communities and […]
HMLR changes require some contractual control agreements to be submitted digitally
New regulations coming into force in April 2027 will require certain contractual control agreements affecting registered land in England and Wales to be submitted digitally to HM Land Registry. Following changes announced by the government in March, The Provision of Information (Contractual Control) (Registered Land) Regulations 2026 legislation has been made and will come into […]
Government announces series of changes to cladding and building remediation schemes
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced a series of changes to the Cladding Safety Scheme and building assessment certificates (BACs) issued by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). In a joint statement, MHCLG, Rachel Blake MP and Samantha Dixon MP said funding would be made available to protect leaseholders from costs […]
New build sales ‘lowest since 2017’ as Rightmove urges government to scrap stamp duty
New analysis from Rightmove reveals that the number of new build housing developments coming to market is at its lowest level since January 2017, despite the government’s target to build 1.5 million homes over the course of this parliament. The analysis tracked the number of housing developments being listed on the property portal for sale […]
‘Market is moving again’ Twenty7tec report finds
Total mortgage searches increased by 7% month-on-month and were 2% higher than this time last year, according to the June mortgage market snapshot from Twenty7tec. First-time buyer searches rose 9% month-on-month and are now 5% higher than June 2025, with residential remortgage searches up 14% compared with May. The increase sees a return into positive […]
Failed transactions cost sector extra £21m this quarter, latest estimate reveals
The number of property sales in the UK which fell through rose by 9.8% during the first quarter of 2026, the latest index by the House Buyer Bureau reveals. Failed transactions cost the housing sector an additional £20.9 million compared to the previous quarter. Analysis of the latest data from TwentyCi shows that an estimated […]
How private equity chooses investments
Having supported a high profile conveyancing firm secure investment, Lanterna Consulting co‑founders Simon Farthing and Shona Kaye are well placed to tackle the topic of how law firms can present themselves to secure private equity investment. Investors scrutinise scalability, data foundations and operational maturity, they explain. Firms without a coherent technology strategy risk being overlooked. […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer – My top six irritations – what are yours?
I’m sometimes noted as being downbeat and irritated – apologies if that is how my diary musings come across. It’s just the frustrations of every day conveyancing which sometimes wear me down. So, with this in mind, I thought I would give you six examples of when I’m really irritated and annoyed. Please feel free […]